Northern Circuit route is also known as the Grand Traverse or the 360, and offers the complete Kilimanjaro experience in terms of all the habitats and the views of the mountain from all sides.
The Northern Circuit is a good 9 days hike for those who have not trekked much at high altitudes, with an effective extra day’s acclimatisation, giving a better success rate. Experienced trekkers may opt for the more difficult 8-days ascent along the Northern Circuit.
The altitude gain each day is less than on other routes, thus, the Northern Circuit route is highly recommended.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Londorossi Gate. From there, the first two days are spent trekking through the rainforest to Shira Ridge, before crossing the Shira Plateau. The route then heads north and circles clockwise from Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp to School Hut, before summiting from the east. Descend is made via the Mweka route.
WHY NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE
• Quieter than other routes
• Good acclimatization profile
• Beautiful scenery
• Very high success rate
• Panoramic views
WHY 8 DAYS NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE
• Beauty and remoteness (Scenery change from day to day)
• Higher success rate
• Avoids crowds.
ITINERARY OF 8 DAYS OF CLIMBING NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE
10 DAYS NORTHERN CIRCUIT ROUTE (8 DAYS CLIMBING+ 2DAYS HOTEL)
DAY 1: ARRIVAL TO TANZANIA.
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro international airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
DAY 2: LONDOROSSI GATE (2,100 meters) STARING POINT (2,389/7838ft) MTI MKUBWA CAMP (2,785/9137ft)
Altitude gained: 396m
Distance: ~4.8km / 3 miles
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest
The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West, the same start point as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately two hours from Moshi and considerably longer from Arusha. Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities occurs at the gate and then you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead starting point. Most tour operators serve lunch here before the short first-day trek to Mti Mkubwa Camp (2,785 meters) begins. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephant and buffalo that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp.
Dinner will be served when you reach Mti Mkubwa Camp.
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER INCLUDED.
DAY 3: MTI MKUBWA CAMP (2785m/ 9137ft)- SHIRA I CAMP (3504m/ 11496ft)
Altitude gained: 719m
Distance: ~7.9km / 5 miles
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone
You will spend the first-hour trekking through the last section of rainforest path before entering the low alpine moorland zone, which follows up onto the Shira Plateau. The trek is relatively short and gradual, ending at Shira Camp 1 (3,504 meters).
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER INCLUDED.
DAY 4: SHIRA 1 (3504m/11496ft) TO MOIR HUT (4161m/13651ft)
Altitude gained: 657m
Distance: ~ 9.8km / 6.1 miles
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone
A long trek heading east which passes through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ and then enters the high alpine desert zone. The morning is spent trekking up to Lava Tower and the iconic Shark’s Tooth rock formation at 4,600 meters, where you will have lunch. After lunch, you will join the northern circuit heading down to Moir Camp at 4,161 meters (see map above). This is an important day in your trek as you will get to experience high altitude and then sleep low,
which is good for the acclimatization process.
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER INCLUDED.
DAY 5: MOIR CAMP (4,155m/13,632ft) TO BUFFALO CAMP (4,033m/13,232ft)
Altitude loss: 122m
Distance: ~9.2km / 5.8miles
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: High alpine zone
This it involves a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. Trekkers can take a small detour here to climb the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375 meters before returning to the Northern Circuit trail. From here the route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp (4,033 meters). The trek gives great vistas out across the plains that lie north of Kilimanjaro and stretch out to the Kenyan / Tanzanian border. You will arrive at Buffalo Camp just after midday,
where you will have lunch and have time to rest after a long day hiking.
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER INCLUDED.
DAY 6: BUFFALO CAMP (4033m/13,232ft) – RONGAI 3RD CAVE (3,936m/12,193ft)
Altitude lost: 97m
Distance: ~6.8km / 4.3miles
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: High alpine zone and low alpine zone
Starts with a climb up the Buffalo Ridge and down into Pofu Camp where lunch is usually served. The route then continues east around the northern slopes to the Rongai Third Cave at 3,936 meters. The trek is shorter than the day before and by now you should be feeling well acclimatized to the altitude. You will arrive at the Third Cave just around mid-afternoon.
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER INCLUDED.
DAY 7: RONGAI 3RD CAVE (3936m/12913ft) – SCHOOL HUT (4717m/15,476ft)
Altitude gained: 781m
Distance: ~4.8km / 3miles
Trekking time: 4-5 hours
Zone: High alpine zone and glacial zone
The it involves a steady incline up and over the Saddle which sits between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Trekkers then continue walking south-west up to School Hut (4,800 meters). After arriving at School Hut you will be served an early dinner and then you should get some shut-eye as you will be awoken before midnight to start your summit attempt. Remember to prepare all your gear, including warm clothes, insulated water bottles, snacks, headlamp, and camera before going to bed.
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER INCLUDED.
DAY 8: SCHOOL HUT (4717m/15476ft) – SUMMIT (5,895 m/19341ft) – MILLENIUM CAMP (3,827 m/12556ft)
Altitude gained: 1178m
Altitude lost: 2068m (descent)
Distance: ~5.9km / 3.7 miles ascent and 8.4km / 5.2 mile descent
Trekking time: 6-8 hours ascent and then 4-6 hour descent
Zone: Glacial zone and all preceding zones
You will be awoken around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits and will then begin the steep incline up to the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first check-point is Hans Meyer Cave where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters), which will be around 5-6 hours after departing School Hut. Take a moment to enjoy the approaching dawn and incredible view out and across to Mawenzi Peak, but remember you still have 2 hours trekking to reach Uhuru Peak so dig deep for the energy. The slope flattens as you head west around the crater rim and you should arrive at the summit at or just after sunrise. Your stay here will be brief so get as many pictures as you can of the incredible views and surrounding glaciers. You will then retrace your steps back around the crater rim to Stella Point (5,739 meters) where you will turn south and head down the heavily screed slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters). Most trekkers take a short break here before continuing down to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters) for your final night on the mountain. In total, you will be trekking for 14-16 hours on day eight so it is important to pace yourself, remain hydrated and keep your blood sugar levels up. Note: some tour operators return via Gilman’s Point to Horombo Hut using the Marangu Route.
You will be awoken around 11:30 with hot tea and biscuits and will then begin the steep incline up to the slopes of Kibo under the cover of darkness. Your first check-point is Hans Meyer Cave where you will take a short break. The climb steepens as you approach Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters)
DAY 9: MILLENIUM CAMP 3827m/12,556ft – MWEKA GATE 1633m/5358ft – MOSHI 970m
Altitude lost: 2194m
Distance: ~12.2km / 7.6 miles
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone
After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.
From the gate, a vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!
DAY 10: Hotel to Kilimanjaro International Airport
After breakfast, you continue with your travel plans or take a transfer to the Kilimanjaro Airport.
Health & Safety is our first priority :
✔ We Climb Kilimanjaro Company we are a local owned company that we
are high consider health and safety of our customer before, during and
after climbing, these are:-
Before climbing:
✔ We book to the hotel that they provide high standard of safety in
terms of human health that is (food and shelter ) and considering
safety costumer’s properties
✔ We make sure that you are health worth for climbing. We check if
there is any medical recommendation from you're doctor so if any
can take special care of you.
During climbing :
✔ Constantly monitor your health: You can be fit and healthy at the
start of your climb, but altitude can affect your health as you
progress up the mountain. That’s why we constantly monitor your
health as you climb. Our expert guides can detect any problems
and take the necessary actions. Always health checks are conducted three times a day to measure
pulse, temperature, blood pressure and oxygen saturation
✔ We provide Nutritious food and safe water: we always follow good
food safety practices — from packing to plating
Good food and plenty of drinking water are essential ingredients,
both physically and psychologically, to make your climb
rewarding. At high altitudes, drinking a lot of water is essential
for your health and helps preventing altitude sicknesses. It goes
without saying that your body will also need plenty of food to
compensate for the unusual physical effort in climbing.
After climbing:
✔ If you will need any assistant after climbing, we are ready to
assist you.
✔ Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to accommodation in Moshi;
✔ Return transfer from accommodation in Moshi to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park.
Accommodation:
✔ Accommodation at 3* hotel (Around Moshi) one night before and one night after the Climbing. You will have all for a
comfortable stay - friendly staff, clean rooms, Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool;
✔ Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern comfortable 4-season North Face VE-25 tents);
Please note: by default, you will share a room and a tent with your travel companion. If you travel solo on a group expedition,
we will room you with a same-sex participant. Single supplement is available upon request.
Meals:
✔ Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
✔ All meals on the hike. You will find delicious energy-rich meals on our mountain menus.
Our professional chefs will prepare assorted soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables.
Vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;
✔ All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water).
Hiking and safety equipment:
✔ 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
✔ All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery);
✔ Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
✔ Complete medical kits.
Climbing crew:
✔ Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All guides are holder of Wilderness First Responder
certification.
All of them have 7+years of successful experience;
✔ 18% VAT, 1% TDL and 0.3% Service Levy. We Climb Kilimanjaro is an honest and responsible tour operator working in
full compliance with the tax law of the
United Republic of Tanzania.
:
✘ International flights;
✘ Tips (200-300 USD per climber for the whole mountain crew);
✘ Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others);
✘ Personal gear rentals;
✘ Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb);
✘ Portable toilets (if required - 250 USD per unit, one can be shared between 3 people);
✘ Mountaineering insurance. You'll need special insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro that covers
high-altitude trekking up to 6000 m.
